Depth control for plows



Au 27; 1946. T. ALLEN I r 2,406,484.

DEPTH CONTROL FOR FLOWS Filed Jan. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Aug,27,1946ALLEN 2,406,484

DEPTH CONTROL-FOR FLOWS Filed Jan. 26, 1944 2 She etS-Sheet 2 PatentedAug. 27, 1946 UNITED STATES PAT N OFFICE DEPTH CONTROL FOR- PLows ThomasAllen, Davison, Mich. Application January 26, 1944, Serial No. 519,793

- 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an automatic depth control for plows or theequivalent, and it aims generally to provide a means which will increasethe efficiency of the plow.

The invention primarily concerns tractor or equivalent drawntrailer-type plows. As is well known, these plows do not plow at an evendepth of furrow under average soil conditions. Where the ground is soft,they will cut deeper and many times bog down, and then where the soil ishard, they will cut shallow and very often rise out of the groundentirely under unfavorable soil conditions. Attempted manual adjustmentunder such conditions is annoying, is neglected, and it is practicallyimpossible to have hired help make the adjustments.

This invention will overcome such difflculties by effecting the resultsautomatically as the plow is drawn along.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the de scription following taken in connection withaccompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings: 7

Figure l is a view showing the tractor-drawn plow equipped with myimprovements;

Figure 2' is a plan view of the parts of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or similar parts, l designates a conventional plow beamcarrying a plow share H as usual. Such beam at [2 is pivoted on ahorizontal axis to a part l3 of a tractor whereby the plow is drawn overthe field with the plow share II, at the proper depth of cut in theground, the line of which is suggested at l4.

A hand lever, or depth control of the plow is shown at l5, being pivotedat IE to a toothed segment l1, mounted on the beam ID as at l8. Lever Ihas a suitable conventional latch construction at l8 normally engagedwith the segsection taken on the line ment ll of the rack and whichlatch is adapted.

to be retracted under control of an auxiliary lever l9, pivoted at 20 tothe lever l5,.and having flexible linkage 2| therefrom to the latch IS,the latter being spring-pressed toward applied position. Latch l8 may beheld disengaged in a squared opening which has a head 29 located in theenlargement 26 and in direct engagement with the spring 21. The lowerend of standard 28 extends below the housing 22 and a ground wheel 30 ismounted on an axle 3| being carried thereby.

Said standard 28 has a series of rack teeth at 32 engaged with those ofa mutilated gear 33 housed within an enlargement 34 of the housing 22.Mutilated gear 33 is keyed rigid on a short shaft 35 journaled in theenlargement 34 and projecting beyond the same. Rigidly connected to theshort shaft 35 as through the engagement of a squared portion 36 on .thelatter 3! is a. lever 38. A retaining nut 39 may be screw-threaded onthe portion 40 of the shaft 35 to prevent accidental dis-' placement ofthe lever 38.

Said lever 38 adjacent its other end has a lateral lug 4| which isengaged in .the channel of a channel section 42 of a. connecting bar 43.A

bolt 44 may be passed through suitable openings to adjustably andpivotally secure the bar 43 and lever 38 together. The connecting bar 43is completed by a section 44. which is disposed partly in the channel ofthe section 42 and the sections are adjustably secured together bypassage of a bolt 45 through selected registering openings 46 in suchbar. Bar or section 44' is adjustably fastened to the depth controllever l5 by a bolt 41 selectively passed throgh registering openings 48in the section 44 of lever 15.

In the operation of the apparatus, it can be seen that the plow H can beadjusted to.various cutting depths. Assuming that it is desired to cut adeeper furrow than is possible with the plow set at the position shownin Figure 1, the lever [9 of .the latch means is pulled toward thehandle l5a and may be held there by the retainer 19a, if desired and asshown in dotted lines (see 3 ing the distance between the plane oftravel of the plow and that of the traveling surface of the wheel 30.

Thus it can be seen that the wheel 30, supporting the plow with thisgreater distance be-' tween the planes of operation, will permit theplow to cut a deeper furrow. Of course when proper adjustment has beenmade, the lever 9 is released to permit the dog I8'to again engage theteeth I 1. I

A greater throw of the arm 38 is accomplished by adjustments 45, 46between the rod 44 and the guide 42 (see Figure 1).

In order to cut a shallower furrow the arm l5 would be moved upwardly atits handle end l5a, thus causing a, reversed rotation of the gearfl anda downward movement of the rack 28 and wheel 30, which would lessen thedistance between the planes of operation of the wheel 30 and. plow ll.

It'willberealized that the improvements con- I arm on which the detentis mounted and cooper- V ative with the last mentioned rack, means onthe arm for actuating the detent, a second arm carrying the gear and aconnection between the first mentioned arm and the free end of thesecond menili ned. arm,vsaid guide being provided with a hollow headportion containing a compression springagainst which the first mentionedrack is 20 operative.

THOMAS ALLEN.

